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Incident
Deputy Robert Grubbs was accidentally shot and killed with his own shotgun. He and the sheriff had gone to a farm on State Road 40 to apprehend a tenant who had shot the farm's owner.
When they arrived Deputy Grubbs reached into the backseat to retrieve his 12-gauge shotgun. When he grabbed the weapon it discharged and struck him under the right shoulder. The sheriff took Deputy Grubbs to Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died.
Deputy Grubbs had served with the Dearborn County Sheriff's Department for only six months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-9216-6AN2-Wearlier record number BO-US-IN-11C34086- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Grubbs served with the Dearborn County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lawrenceburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Grubbs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Dearborn County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Robert is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Robert is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Robert is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1943, 1 officer in IN was lost to accidents, the 47th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1943, 38 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 109th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1943, 49 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 105th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Robert was 32. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Robert was 32. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 32. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Robert had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Wednesdays: 13.9%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Dearborn County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Dearborn County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Dearborn County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
